Gaming ticket reader providing incentive to play an electronic game

ABSTRACT

A system, device, and method for providing a player with incentive to play an electronic game. The player possesses a gaming ticket for a different game. The device reads a machine-readable identification code on the player&#39;s gaming ticket and determines whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket. If so, an amount won or value received is displayed to the player on a video graphic display. The device may then invite the player to play the electronic game using the amount won or value received from the gaming ticket. The device may be implemented in an electronic game machine or as a stand-alone device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/783,783 filed Mar. 17, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to lottery, promotional, or gaming-type tickets and methods of playing the tickets in games of chance.

Traditional lottery, promotional, or gaming-type tickets are utilized to play games of chance such as lotteries, bingo games, and the like. The tickets may also be utilized to distribute and, if applicable, collect the purchase price of such tickets. The tickets may be known variously as pull-tabs, pickle tickets, jar tickets, hard cards, bingo tickets, event tickets, sign up tickets, punch boards, cash (bonus) boards, charitable gaming tickets, raffle tickets, sweepstakes and promotional tickets, and the like. The tickets generally include one or more hidden indications or symbols (indicia) for playing the game. To play the game, the player must uncover the hidden indicia by, for example, opening a pull-tab window on a break-open ticket or scratching off an opaque surface material covering the indicia.

In one method of playing a game of chance, one of the indicia on a given ticket may indicate that the ticket is a “hold” ticket. The hold ticket qualifies the player to enter a higher level of play where he can compete for a winning prize or jackpot. In traditional playing methods, the player takes the qualifying hold ticket to a game board where one or more hidden indicia are physically uncovered to determine whether the player wins the jackpot and if so, how much. It would be advantageous to have a device and method that provides a more interesting and entertaining way for the player to determine whether his hold ticket is a winning hold ticket.

In another gaming-related field, the management of gaming establishments would like to provide additional incentives for players to enter their establishments and play their electronic games. Such incentives have traditionally been limited to incentives that provide players with free refreshments or reduced-price food. Obviously, these incentives cost money to the management. It would be advantageous to have a system and method that provides incentive for a player to enter a gaming establishment, without costing the management any money.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,008 to Clapper, Jr. (Clapper), an electronic gaming apparatus is disclosed which dispenses pull-tab gaming tickets. The apparatus reads a code on the back of the ticket as the ticket is dispensed. The code identifies the indicia, which are printed on the ticket. The apparatus then displays the representations of the indicia on a monitor of the apparatus.

Although Clapper provides an electronic apparatus for playing a pull-tab game, it only reads tickets dispensed from the apparatus. In addition, there is no disclosure or suggestion of any method of providing incentive for the player to enter a gaming establishment or to play electronic games within the gaming establishment.

In order to overcome the disadvantages of existing solutions, it would be advantageous to have a system and method of providing additional incentives for players using gaming tickets to play electronic game within an establishment. The present invention provides such a system and method.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system and method of providing a player using a gaming ticket with incentive to play an electronic game. The player's gaming ticket is equipped with a machine-readable identification code. The code is used to link the ticket to a video graphic display device such as an electronic game. The electronic game includes ticket-logic to read the identification code on the ticket, to determine whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket and, if so, to display the amount won. The ticket-logic is independent of the logic for playing the electronic game, and the electronic game does not have any bearing on the outcome of the gaming ticket or the amount awarded. The electronic game may then invite the player to play the electronic game using the winnings from the gaming ticket.

The invention provides a more interesting and entertaining way for the player to determine whether his gaming ticket is a winning ticket. By inviting the player to play an associated electronic game using the winnings from the gaming ticket, the invention also provides incentive for the player to use his winnings to continue playing within a gaming establishment.

Thus in one aspect, the present invention is directed to an electronic game, which includes logic means for playing the electronic game, and means for providing a player having a gaming ticket for another game with incentive to play the electronic game. The means for providing a player with incentive to play the electronic game may include means for reading a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; means for determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; and means for informing the player whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket. By causing the player to interact with the electronic game, the player is provided with incentive to play the electronic game.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a device associated with a gaming establishment for providing a player having a gaming ticket for another game with incentive to play an electronic game in the gaming establishment. The device includes means for reading a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; means for determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket, and if so, for determining an amount won or value awarded. The device also includes means responsive to a determination that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket for informing the player of the amount won or value awarded; and means for inviting the player to play the electronic game using the amount won or value awarded from the gaming ticket.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a computer-controlled method of providing a player having a gaming ticket for another game with incentive to play an electronic game in a gaming establishment. The method includes the steps of utilizing a device associated with the gaming establishment to read a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket, and if so, determining an amount won or value awarded. Upon determining that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket, the method includes informing the player of the amount won or value awarded; and inviting the player to play the electronic game using the amount won or value awarded from the gaming ticket.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a computer-controlled method of informing a player whether a gaming ticket possessed by the player is a winning ticket. The method includes the steps of utilizing a device to read a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; and upon determining that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket, informing the player that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of the system of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the steps of the preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present invention. The system may use a modified gaming card or lottery-type ticket (collectively, “gaming ticket”) 11 in a first level of the game to distribute gaming tickets to the players and, if applicable, collect the purchase price of such tickets. Players uncover the hidden indicia 12 by, for example, opening a pull-tab window on a break-open ticket or scratching off an opaque surface material covering the indicia. If a “hold” indication 13 is uncovered, the player can advance to a higher level of play.

Each of the gaming tickets is modified with a machine-readable identification (ID) code 14. The code may be machine-read by any suitable mechanism such as, but not limited to, radio frequency identification tags, bar codes, account codes, infrared readers, magnetic data strips, optical readers, sound tones, and the like. The code is used to link a ticket such as a hold ticket to a device such as, but not limited to, a television, a computer display screen, a kiosk, a personal digital assistant, a bingo card minder, a video lottery terminal, the Internet, and Class II and Class III electronic game devices.

When a player uncovers a hold indication, instead of taking the hold ticket to a game board where a hidden indication is physically uncovered, the player takes the hold ticket to a reader device such as an electronic game 15 having an encoded ID reader 16. The reader machine-reads the encoded ID 13 of the qualifying hold ticket 11 and sends a Ticket ID to gaming ticket logic 17. The gaming ticket logic determines whether the Ticket ID is from a winning ticket. The result is preferably sent to a graphic display 18, which displays in an entertaining format, whether the player is a winner. If so, the system may display the amount of the player's winnings. Alternatively, the player may be encouraged to further interact with the reader device by offering the player several choices regarding his winning ticket. For example, the player may choose between several “windows” or “doors” behind which different prizes or awards are hidden. Optionally, the system may offer the player a choice between a known prize or award and one of the windows or doors. Alternatively, the player may be offered the choice of accepting a prize at the current level of play, forgoing his winnings in exchange for the chance to play for larger winnings at a higher level, or paying additional money for a chance to win larger prizes at a higher level of play.

In this manner, the player has been motivated to sit at and interact with the electronic game. At this point, the gaming ticket logic 17 may also send the amount won or value received to electronic game logic 19. The electronic game logic causes the electronic game to play a game separate from the ticket logic, and may invite the player to use the player's winnings or a portion thereof to play the game. The electronic game may offer further incentives such as a discount to play a predefined number of games.

The gaming ticket logic may be implemented in the electronic game machine or in a stand-alone device. The game machine or stand-alone device may include visual and/or audio mechanisms for informing the player whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket. For example, the game machine or stand-alone device may include a video graphic display, flashing lights, or the like for visually informing the player whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket. Alternatively, the game machine or stand-alone device may include an audio speaker, a bell, a buzzer, a whistle, or the like for informing the player whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket. If the ticket is a winning ticket, the game machine or stand-alone device may indicate the amount won or value awarded on a video graphic display or through the audio speaker. If the device is a stand-alone device, the device may identify an electronic game machine within the gaming establishment that will accept the player's winnings to play the game.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the steps of the preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention. At step 21, gaming tickets are modified with a machine-readable ID code. At step 22, the gaming tickets are sold to players. At step 23, the players uncover the hidden indicia on the gaming tickets. At step 24, it is determined whether or not a player uncovers a “hold” indication. If not, the method moves to step 25 where the player looses at the current level of the game.

However, if the player uncovers a “hold” indication, he qualifies to play at a higher level where he may win cash or prizes. Therefore, the method moves to step 26 where the electronic game machine reads the ID code of the qualifying hold ticket. At step 27, the electronic game machine then graphically displays whether the hold ticket is a winner at the higher level and, if so, the amount won or value received. The player may alternatively be offered several choices regarding his winnings, and may, for example, be offered the opportunity to forgo his winnings in exchange for the chance to play for larger winnings at a higher level. At step 28 it is determined whether or not the hold ticket is a winner. If not, the method moves to step 29 where the game ends. However, if the hold ticket is a winner, the method moves to step 30 where the electronic game machine invites the player to play the game using the winnings from the gaming ticket, or play additional games of chance in the gaming establishment.

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a wide range of applications. Accordingly, the scope of patented subject matter should not be limited to any of the specific exemplary teachings discussed above, but is instead defined by the following claims. 

1. An electronic game, comprising: means for providing a player with incentive to play the electronic game, said player having a gaming ticket for another game; and logic means for playing the electronic game.
 2. The electronic game according to claim 1, wherein the means for providing a player with incentive to play the electronic game includes: means for reading a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; means for determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; and means for informing the player whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; wherein by causing the player to interact with the electronic game, the player is provided with incentive to play the electronic game.
 3. The electronic game according to claim 2, wherein the means for informing the player whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket includes an audio speaker.
 4. The electronic game according to claim 2, wherein the means for informing the player whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket includes a video graphic display.
 5. The electronic game according to claim 2, wherein the means for playing the electronic game does not influence whether the gaming ticket is determined to be a winning ticket.
 6. The electronic game according to claim 1, wherein the means for providing a player with incentive to play the electronic game includes: means for reading a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; means for determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; means responsive to a determination that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket for informing the player that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; and means for offering the player a choice of playing additional games of chance with the player's winnings or accepting the winnings; wherein the player is provided with incentive to play the electronic game.
 7. The electronic game according to claim 6, wherein the means for offering the player a choice of playing additional games of chance includes means for enabling the player to use the winnings to purchase a gaming ticket having potentially greater winnings.
 8. A device associated with a gaming establishment for providing a player with incentive to enter the gaming establishment and interact with the device, said player having a gaming ticket for a game, said device comprising: means for reading a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; means for determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; and audio and/or visual means for informing the player whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the device further comprises: means responsive to a determination that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket for informing the player that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; and means for offering the player a choice of playing additional games of chance in the gaming establishment with the player's winnings or accepting the winnings.
 10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the device does not influence whether the gaming ticket is determined to be a winning ticket.
 11. A computer-controlled method of providing a player with incentive to play games of chance in a gaming establishment, said player having a gaming ticket for a game, said method comprising: utilizing a device associated with the gaming establishment to read a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; upon determining that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket, informing the player that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; and offering the player a choice of playing additional games of chance in the gaming establishment with the player's winnings or accepting the winnings.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of utilizing a device associated with the gaming establishment to read a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket includes utilizing logic implemented within an electronic game in the gaming establishment to read the machine-readable code.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of offering the player a choice of playing additional games of chance or accepting the winnings includes offering the player the choice of using the winnings to play the electronic game.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of informing the player includes displaying a winner indication on a video graphic display.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of informing the player includes playing an audio message through an audio speaker.
 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of utilizing a device associated with the gaming establishment to read a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket includes utilizing a stand-alone device within the gaming establishment machine.
 17. A computer-controlled method of informing a player whether a gaming ticket possessed by the player is a winning ticket, said method comprising: utilizing a device to read a machine-readable code on the player's gaming ticket; determining from the code whether the gaming ticket is a winning ticket; and upon determining that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket, informing the player that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of informing the player that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket includes providing a visual indication that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of informing the player that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket includes providing an audio indication that the gaming ticket is a winning ticket.
 20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: determining an amount won or value awarded; and informing the player of the amount won or value awarded.
 21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising inviting the player to play an game of chance using the amount won or value awarded from the gaming ticket. 